The Collectors Book Five (The Collectors Series 5) Read Online Free Page A

contour of the mountain. If I travel at speed, I will not be able to brake if the line is blocked. This way I reverse, thus putting the train in a safer position for your men to fight.”
    Creases formed on Berg’s brow. “What if we increased speed?”
    “If the resistance remove one rail, it’s over the edge.”
    “You make a good point. Stop the train. I need to speak to my men.”
    Brock eased back on the throttle and the train slowed to a halt. Berg jumped to the ground.
    The young lieutenant from the first truck ordered his troop to standby.
    “Lieutenant, pass the word we are approaching a forested and mountainous region. I promise you the resistance will be waiting. Be ready to expect the unexpected. If you see anything out of the ordinary, you have my permission to open fire. Do not leave the protection of your wagon. You have the firepower to destroy the enemy on the slopes. In the forest, he has the advantage. Understood?”
    “Yes, Major.”
    “Very well. Make sure the officer on every armed truck understands.”
    “Yes, Major.”
    Berg clambered back into the cab. “God help us, Brock, they give me boys straight from school.”
    “They will not let you down, Major.”
    He shrugged. “If they do, I and everyone else will be dead.”
    Brock eased the train round every bend accelerating when and where he could.
    “Brock, how much further until we’re out of these mountains?”
    “Five hours at best, Major.”
    Brock shouted and pointed ahead as he slammed the engine into reverse. Wheels spun and sparks flew. Carriages thumped carriages as the direction changed. Soldiers tumbled over each other.
    No more than four hundred metres along the track lay several large boulders.
    Berg leaned out of the window, his pulse raced as he removed his Lugar pistol. He scanned the forest but saw nothing. 
    “Stay in the cab, Major. The windows are bullet proof and it would take a cannon shell to puncture the armour.”
    “If we sit and do nothing we might as well shoot ourselves.”
    “Major, Major.”
    Berg could not help but smile. Colonel Becker stood alongside the cab.
    “Sir.”
    “Is something wrong?”
    “The track is blocked. I’ll get my explosives team to blast the boulders and remove the debris. I suggest you return to the safety of your carriage.”
    “Where are these boulders?”
    Berg pointed.
    “Come, we will inspect the problem together.”
    Berg glanced at Brock, shrugged and jumped to the ground. “Sergeant, get your team and bring explosives. Lieutenant, ten men, now.”
    The group led by Becker followed, their eyes shifted left and right as they walked along the track. Berg positioned five soldiers on either side.
    The boulders were taller and wider than an average man. Berg scanned the mountainsides. He saw nothing and shrugged. His thoughts raced, this was the perfect place for an ambush. “All yours, Sergeant. Don’t waste time. Blast those rocks apart but leave the track in one piece.”
    The sergeant laughed. “This is why you pay me.” He spoke in a soft voice to his men who removed explosives from their packs and placed them on the boulders. One man inserted the fuse and connected the wires.
    “Back to the train,” shouted the sergeant as he trailed a wire behind him. A hailstorm of bullets thudded into the sergeant.
    “Shit,” screamed Berg. “Run.”
    Becker hesitated and a wall of heavy calibre bullets sliced him in two.
    The lethal deluge hit them from both sides of the gorge.
    Berg dived under the engine as the throb of the anti-aircraft guns and the howitzers pounded the tree-covered slopes. He could hear the enemy but never saw them. A thunderous roar blasted the boulders. With haste he rolled from under the engine, grabbed the handrail and pulled open the steel door. Pain stabbed every inch of him. He dragged his body into the cab and gave the order. “Brock, shift this train.” His head lolled to one side and he collapsed in a pool of blood on the